Norwalk issues statement on approaching blizzard

Published 10:45 am, Sunday, January 25, 2015

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Blizzard Warning

Blizzard Warning

Norwalk issues statement on approaching blizzard

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Editor's note: The following statement was released by Michele DeLuca, the city's Deputy Director of Emergency Management. This statement was issued prior to the National Weather Service issuing a Blizzard Warning for the area.

Blizzard Watch Issued forSouthwesternCT

City encourages residents to prepare for snowstorm

(January 25, 2015, Norwalk, CT). As the region prepares for the first significant storm of the New Year, the City of Norwalk urges residents to take precautions to keep safe during severe winter weather. The National Weather service has issued a blizzard watch for our area beginning Monday afternoon through Tuesday night. A long duration (36 hour) high impact Blizzard/ Nor’easter is expected. High winds are a concern since the chance of power outages increases. Residents should be prepared for outages and make sure they have supplies on hand. Members of the City’s Emergency Management Team are preparing for this event and monitoring this severe storm. The Emergency Operation Center at the Norwalk Fire Department will be operational and briefings scheduled throughout the event.

Cooperation from residents and businesses can be very helpful to the efficient and timely removal of snow and ice and the restoration of safe travel in the City. Here’s what you can do to help:

Stay off the roads, unless travel is essential. If you must drive, make sure you have a full tank of gas and emergency supplies in case you are stranded.

If you need medication refills, food or other critical supplies, take time on Monday morning to complete these tasks.

Remove vehicles from the street. If a snow emergency is declared, vehicle owners parked on Emergency Response Routes may be ticketed and towed.

Clear snow and ice from sidewalks and footpaths that adjoin your property and clear fire hydrants as soon as possible.

Drivers must make sure their vision is not impaired by ice or snow and snow must be removed from roofs etc. so it does not slide off and impact or impair other operators.

DO NOT shovel or plow snow into the street after the DPW snow plow has begun clearing the street.

Remove soccer goals, basketball hoops and other such items from the sides of the streets. Remove holiday decorations that may become airborne in high winds.

If you have a true medical emergency, contact 911 for assistance, otherwise refrain from calling Police, Fire, Public Works or Customer Service to find out when your street will be plowed. Such calls detract from the City’s attention to the task at hand. Crews will be working diligently with available resources to clear all City streets as quickly as possible.

Be prepared for power outages. Keep your cell phone charged and have flashlights, batteries and other supplies. If you lose power, use flashlights or light sticks rather than candles, which can cause an added fire risk.

Residents should monitor this storm on local media, and can also get social media updates through facebook- NorwalkOEM or Twitter @Norwalk_OEM.

Snow cleanup usually takes between 16 and 24 hours from the end of a snowstorm. Cooperation in these activities will allow for quicker and more effective clearance of all city streets. For questions or for more information, including winter safety tips and the City’s snow removal policy, visit www.norwalkct.org or www.ready.gov